In the previous eight editions of the Champions League, all with Pep Guardiola, Manchester City beat the first phase, sometimes with a lot of slack, even full of triumphs. In those eight years, the Cityzens only suffered five losses in the total of the 48 games with the already buried group of groups. But with the new format, in which he already adds three losses plus two draws in seven games, something has been broken in the Skyblue team, which arrives stalked by the ghost of elimination in the eighth and last day of the renewed phase-light of the European tournament.
The City, champion of the Champions in 2023 and that started as one of the favorites, is forced to win the witches today at home (21h) to get into the playoffs round and avoid a capital failure. The current champion of the Premiercurrently outside the playoffs, in 25th position with 8 points, it will be eliminated if you lose or tied. A priori, the Belgian team must be an easy dam for the English, but this season almost no match is being comfortable for those of Guardiola.
The PSG is enough to tie in Stuttgart to be in the playoffs and Bayern needs a carambola to go directly
“It is not a problem, it is an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it like that. For the club it would not be good and I know that people are worried (not qualifying), but I do not think about it. I have played this kind of game many times. We already know why we are like that, we have not done well, ”said Santpedor, who for the first time in his career as a technician faces a situation of face or cross as soon in Europe.
The Cityzens have lost the title train in the Premier, after suffering a disastrous streak of results, and in the Champions League four days followed without winning, with a draw and three losses, the last one against the PSG (4-2). In Paris, they advanced in the second part with two goals, but then they fit four goals in a final stretch where they showed again the defensive vulnerability that the entire course has pursued.
The PSG coach, Luis Enrique, in yesterday’s training of the Parisian team.
Manchester’s team also suffered a blushing win in Lisbon against Sporting (4-1) and a painful draw at home against Feyenoord (3-3), with three goals against in the last 15 minutes. The novel format of the Champions League is more demanding, with more and better duels, but also grants more opportunities. The City has a last bullet to stay alive.
A script similar to the Skyblue has followed the PSG, with three losses, which nevertheless arrives more relieved to the last day thanks to the crucial triumph against the City. To those of Luis Enrique, in the 22nd place with 10 points, it is enough for them to tie in Stuttgart to ensure the playoffs. “If you play in the PSG there is pressure every day and if the coach does not put it. No player will be clueless, they are aware of what we play. We have not achieved anything, ”warned the Asturian coach.
Bayern, another big one who has passed trouble, has already secured his pass to the previous round of eighths and needs a carambola on the last day to get among the eight best.
#Face #cross #Guardiola #City